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Shrek The Musical #WordlessWednesday
This past week we went to see Shrek The Musical at The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. The Grand is a local asset to the arts scene and it is often very family friendly. Both of our girls enjoy the theatre and always have because we have always taken them to see age appropriate plays. My older daughter has of course also done the local youth theatre group in our town too. The girls have a deep appreciation and admiration and respect for theatre and the arts. In fact, they enjoy theatre as much, or maybe even more, than I do. We are super lucky in this area of Ontario to…
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Sparkup Magical Children’s Book Reader #TMMGG2014
By Bonnie Way, contributor, I’m sitting at my computer working on a blog post and listening to myself read Sunshine and Lily a story in the living room. Yes, I just said I’m writing and reading at the same time. No, I’m not crazy or bilocating. I simply got them a Sparkup Magical Book Reader. We spent about an hour one night reading their favourite stories together, and they’ve been rereading those stories with the Sparkup whenever they want ever since. The Sparkup Magical Book Reader is a little device (a bit smaller than two hands together) that attaches to the top of any book. A little camera scans the…
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Operation Banish High Blood Pressure
It’s time for fresh starts. December 1st. What could be a better time? I’m not waiting for New Year’s resolutions this year because I need to tackle this new health challenge head on. I have high blood pressure and it’s not going away. It started in September and I assumed it was because I was hyper about taking a trip with World Vision Canada and I assumed that the high reading was a one off. But in October it was high again and then this past weekend when we went for flu shots it was astronomical. So it’s time to kick it to the curb. First here’s a bit about…
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How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party
How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party Children love Christmas and will celebrate any chance they get! Whether you are planning a children’s Christmas party at home, at church, or helping with a school celebration, I’m sharing a few ideas that will help you plan an unforgettable experience. From décor ideas to entertainment to refreshments and favors, planning a Christmas party for children can’t get any easier. First, set a festive mood by playing Christmas music, being sure to focus on a playlist of children’s favorites! Invite children into a party space full of magical winter wonderland delights. Hanging snowflakes and setting up traditional Christmas items like trees, garland, lights and stockings can…
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Part 1: Seven Facts About Egg Freezing
This past month several technology companies made significant announcements about egg freezing and fertility treatments. Apple and Facebook policies have created a lot of buzz in the fertility and infertility world. In this day and age when 1 in 6 face infertility, egg freezing facts should be part of your conversation with a doctor. First Modern Family star Sophia Vergara disclosed her intention to freeze her eggs. Then massive high tech companies like Apple and Facebook said they would chip in to help cover the cost of egg freezing, a procedure that provides a means of preserving a woman’s fertility. Technology Companies Driving Fertility Conversation Apple and Facebook recently both declared they would cover…
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We Day Waterloo 2014 Highlights: Inspiring Change
Last week we attended our first ever We Day. We were two of the 7000 people attending We Day Waterloo 2014. There were 315 schools in attendance also, one of which came all the way from Nova Scotia. I took my oldest daughter Payton with me because I knew she really wanted to go. She is my helper girl and we often say that she is destined to be a teacher or a therapist. She has a big heart. The route to WE Day isn’t easy. You have to be a class, or a child, that gives back to your community and thinks about global citizenry as well. So you get to…
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Savvy Shopping With RBC Rewards
I like to think I am a savvy shopper. That’s why I have an RBC Rewards credit card. I think it’s the best Rewards credit card. I use my card often and I rack up reward points quickly, which makes shopping a rewarding experience. That’s really what savvy shopping is all about for me. As we head into the holiday season, this Christmas almost everyone has a reason to shop, so why not be rewarded for your purchases? Every month I use my RBC Rewards card [www.rbcrewards.com] for all major purchases, prescriptions, family travel, gadgets, even a new closet we had installed. We moved this year and it was…
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New Traditions and a Simple Shortbread Cookie Recipe #GayleaMom
I have been baking for much of my life. As a child I loved to help bake with my Mom and my Grandma too. And, as a teenager I really enjoyed crafting and sewing, reading and cooking up something random. Betty Crocker’s cookbook and I were well acquainted. In fact, I still make a scrumptious jelly roll. Oddly though, I can’t recall ever having made shortbread cookies. Not once, until now. I recall having this perception that shortbread was hard to make, so we didn’t make it. This year is all about new traditions.We moved to a new house in February and I finally have my dream kitchen. This…
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The Best Christmas Pokemon Gifts Roundup
Pokemon Gifts Roundup I have two girls who love this little guy named Pikachu. In my house the gender specific toys don’t really ever fly. My kids make up their own rules of play and they both love Pokemon. Oh they still love Barbie and Monster High, but they know what they like and they won’t be told by anyone what is cool, or girly. My junior black belt ten year old daughter has been collecting Pokemon cards for the last year or more. She has more than I can count and her interest shows no real indication of tapering off any time soon. Who would have thought that even…
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We Stay: Five Things I Never Told You About Special Needs Adoption
I am not unlike you. I love my kids more than anything on the planet. They are my heart. They are my life. They are my first glorious sight in the morning. (One of them bursts into my room every day at crack of dawn, but that’s another story) and one of the last things I see at night. There is nothing that can bring out the mama bear in me like someone wronging my child. My family is not perfect, but it is mine. Everything I do is to build a future for them. Most of you know by now that we are an adoptive family. I write about special needs…